Strezhevoy – City History and Nature

• The permanent exhibition “V garmonii s prirodoy” explores the region’s natural wealth and wildlife.
• The exhibition “Strezhevoy — gorod na strezhne” is dedicated to the city’s history.
• The city park includes a cedar forest on the Pasol, a sandy riverbank, and numerous forest trails.

The permanent exhibition “V garmonii s prirodoy” at the Historical and Local History Museum combines natural history with insights into everyday life. Topics include birds and mammals; examples on display include remains of a mammoth and a woolly rhinoceros. Also featured are everyday objects and aspects of hunting and fishing among the small Indigenous peoples of the North. The exhibition thus brings wildlife and human ways of life together.

Another focus is the city itself. “Strezhevoy — gorod na strezhne” explores the first special settlement and the life stories of its residents. Its historical perspective also includes experiences from World War II, Afghanistan, local armed conflicts, and the SVO. The development of the oil and gas complex in the north of Tomsk Oblast is also part of the exhibition. Anyone interested in Strezhevoy’s history will find both personal life stories and an account of the region’s economic development here.

A wooden residential building constructed in 1966 is considered Strezhevoy’s first house. Its commemorative plaque records a precise date: on July 23, 1966, the Tomsk student construction team “Neftyanik” laid the foundation stone for what would become Strezhevoy. The house and plaque give the city’s history a concrete point of reference in time. Together with the exhibition about the first special settlement, they offer two perspectives on the city’s founding: through a named building and through the life stories of its residents.

Another specialized destination is the history museum of OAO “Tomskneft” VNK at 32 Stroiteley Street. It covers the history of oil exploration and production by AO “Tomskneft” VNK. It also teaches school pupils and students technical knowledge and the fundamentals of oil production. The focus here is therefore on a specific company and technical subjects, while the local history museum’s exhibition addresses the development of the oil and gas complex in the broader context of the city’s history.

In Strezhevoy’s city park, also known as the Park of the 50th Anniversary of the Komsomol, cedar forest, riverbank, and forest trails come together. The forest lies on the Pasol; there is also a sandy bank and numerous paths through the woods. These landscape features give the park a different character from the city’s museums: here, nature by the river takes center stage, while the museums focus on the region’s history and culture. Visitors who want to explore Strezhevoy through different themes can experience these perspectives side by side.

Beyond Strezhevoy, Tomsk Oblast offers a range of cultural and landscape-related themes. The following examples are each associated with the locations named. The “Chumel Chvech” Museum in Parabelsky District explores the culture and everyday life of the southern Selkup group; visits are by prior arrangement. Its “Tropa okhotnika,” opened in 2017, features traditional traps for animals and birds. Exhibits include a sable trap, a bear trap, and a snare for partridges. The museum’s first buildings also illustrate residential and everyday structures, including a half-dugout used until the 17th century, with a pyramidal roof, and a clay oven.

In Podgornoye, the Kulai Culture Museum is dedicated to an ancient cultural and historical community whose artifacts were first found near Mount Kulaika. It existed from the 5th century BCE to the 5th century CE. A guided tour of the permanent exhibition explores the archaeological culture and the world of the Kulai; it is intended for groups of 2 to 25 people during opening hours. This subject differs from the ethnographic focus of the “Chumel Chvech” Museum.

The rural “Okolitsa” Park is a traditional venue for the “Prazdnik Topora” festival. Visitors can view works by artisans there year-round; special event areas showcase regional traditions shaped by Russian, Tatar, Chinese, Uzbek, Selkup, and other cultures. The festival has been held in Tomsk Oblast since 2008 and includes four competitions for artisans, a large fair of decorative and applied arts, and a concert program. Dates and programs vary from year to year.

Another regional experience is the 27-kilometer “Zov bolotnoy tishiny” swamp-vehicle and hiking route in Bakcharsky District. It is intended for visitors aged 12 to 70. Excursions require advance booking and an accompanying staff member; check the current arrangements with the relevant nature reserve before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Seversk, Svetlyy, Tomsk, Rodionovo, Bogashevo, Assino, Semiluzhki, Barabinka.

What topics does the Historical and Local History Museum cover?

The permanent exhibition “V garmonii s prirodoy” explores the region’s nature and wildlife, everyday objects, and aspects of hunting and fishing among the small Indigenous peoples of the North. Another exhibition is dedicated to Strezhevoy’s history.

What makes Strezhevoy’s city park distinctive?

The park includes a cedar forest on the Pasol River, a sandy riverbank, and numerous forest trails.

What are the requirements for the swamp route in Tomsk Oblast?

The route is intended for visitors aged 12 to 70. Excursions require advance booking and an accompanying staff member. Confirm the current arrangements with the relevant nature reserve before your trip.

How are visits to the “Chumel Chvech” Museum arranged?

Visits are by prior arrangement. The museum presents the culture and everyday life of the southern Selkup group.

For the broader travel guide: Tomsk Oblast.